8.3 Numbers, figures, dates and times

What is International Women's Day?

International Women's Day (March 8th) is a global day celebrating the social, economic, cultural and political achievements of women. The day also marks a constant demand for accelerating gender parity. It has lasted for over a century, originally starting in New York in 1908. That year, 15,000 women marched through New York City demanding shorter working hours, better pay, and voting rights. The demand spread quickly and in 1911, International Women's Day was honoured for the first time in Austria, Denmark, Germany, and Switzerland, on 19th March. More than one million women and men fought together for women's rights. Women wanted to be educated, to work, to vote, to be paid and not to be discriminated any longer. Only a week later, 140 women, mostly Italian and Jewish immigrants, died in a fire because of disastrous working conditions. This spurred the continuing struggle for equality.

Today, the world has witnessed significant changes towards women's equality and emancipation. Many women are successful, and they are present in justice, education, health care, and governments. You can often hear women being voted presidents or prime ministers. The unfortunate fact is that women are still not paid equally to men, women are still not present in equal numbers in business or politics, and globally, women's education, health, and the violence against them is worse compared to men. However, great improvements have been made. Still, in many countries, women are still discriminated against and treated as unequal despite a hundred-year-long battle. So, never forget to think globally but to act locally if you want to effect change.

What is International Women's Day?

International Women's Day (March 8th) is a global day celebrating the social, economic, cultural and political achievements of women. The day also marks a constant demand for accelerating gender parity. It has lasted for over a century, originally starting in New York in 1908. That year, 15,000 women marched through New York City demanding shorter working hours, better pay, and voting rights. The demand spread quickly and in 1911, International Women's Day was honoured for the first time in Austria, Denmark, Germany, and Switzerland, on 19th March. More than one million women and men fought together for women's rights. Women wanted to be educated, to work, to vote, to be paid and not to be discriminated any longer. Only a week later, 140 women, mostly Italian and Jewish immigrants, died in a fire because of disastrous working conditions. This spurred the continuing struggle for equality.

Today, the world has witnessed significant changes towards women's equality and emancipation. Many women are successful, and they are present in justice, education, health care, and governments. You can often hear women being voted presidents or prime ministers. The unfortunate fact is that women are still not paid equally to men, women are still not present in equal numbers in business or politics, and globally, women's education, health, and the violence against them is worse compared to men. However, great improvements have been made. Still, in many countries, women are still discriminated against and treated as unequal despite a hundred-year-long battle. So, never forget to think globally but to act locally if you want to effect change.